Jerry Springer (February 13, 1944 - April 27, 2023) was a British-born American talk show host, known for his role as host of the syndicated tabloid talk show The Jerry Springer Show from 1991 until 2018. He was a former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, OH,[1] news anchor, and musician.
On Married... with Children he played a parody version of himself in the season 8 episode, "NO MA'AM".
Early life[]
Springer was born in Highgate tube station in London, England, while the station was in use as a shelter from German bombing during World War II,[2] and grew up on Chandos Road, East Finchley. His parents, Margot (née Kallmann; a bank clerk) and Richard Springer (owner of a shoe shop),[3] were Jewish refugees who escaped from Landsberg an der Warthe, Germany (now Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland).[4][5][6] His maternal grandmother Marie Kallmann, who was left behind, died in the gas trucks of Kulmhof extermination camp. His paternal grandmother, Selma Springer, died at the Theriesenstadt concentration camp. In January 1949, Springer emigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York and attended Forest Hills High School. He and his sister Evelyn were raised in a small four-room apartment. One of his earliest memories about current events was when he was 12 and watching the 1956 Democratic convention on television where he saw and was impressed by John F. Kennedy[7] He earned a BA degree from Tulane University in 1965, majoring in political science.[8] He earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Northwestern University in 1968.[5][9]
Springer became a political campaign adviser to Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.[9] After Kennedy's assisination, he joined the Cincinnati law firm of Frost & Jacobs, now Frost Brown Todd.
Political career[]
In 1970, Springer ran for the U.S. Congress. He failed to unseat incumbent Republican Donald D. Clancy, but garnered an impressive 45% of the vote in a traditionally Republican district. He had previously spearheaded the effort to lower the voting age, including testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of ratification of the 26th Ammendment. Springer was elected to the Cincinnati city council in 1971.[9] He resigned in 1974 after admitting to hiring a prostitute.[9] The episode was uncovered when a police raid on a Fort Wright, KY "massage parlor" unearthed a check Springer had written for its "services". The check subsequently bounced due to lack of funds in the account. Springer came clean at a press conference. Long-time Cincinnati newsman Al Schottelkotte pronounced Springer's career over, but Springer's honesty helped him win back his seat in 1975 by a landslide. In a post-election interview, Schottelkotte good-naturedly reminded Springer that he had declared Springer's career over. Springer told the newsman, "I'm glad that you were wrong." In 1977, he was chosen to serve one year as mayor by the City Council.
In 1982, Springer sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. TV commercials for Springer's campaign referenced his use of a check to pay a prostitute, saying that he was not afraid of the truth "even if it hurts".[10] He failed to win the Democratic party's nomination—finishing a distant third behind former Lieutenant Governor Richard F. Celeste and Ohio Attorney General William J. Brown, and his political career was put on hold. Springer considered running for the U.S. Senate in 2003,[11] but backed down due to negative associations with The Jerry Springer Show.[12]
Broadcasting Career[]
During his college years he worked at a local college radio station. From 1984 to 1993, he was a co-anchor on News 5 at WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. [13]
Television Career[]
Beginning in 1991, he started hosting his own talk show, The Jerry Springer Show which aired in syndication until 2018. In its early years, it suffered from low ratings as it was a more of an issues-oriented and political talk show, due to his previous background in news reporting as well as politics. Eventually the show started to gradually incorporate more controversial topics while maintaining some of the original issues (such as homelessness and gun control) but by the mid 1990s, it fully switched over to covering topics such as love triangles, revealing that they are working in the adult industry to their spouse and other deviant behaviors.
The show also became well known for its on stage fights, typically requiring security staff members to separate people. Springer played the straight man in contrast to the rambunctious guests and audience members, who would often get involved sometimes flashing the camera or provoking a fight with the onstage guests. He typically ended each episode with his final thoughts on the show's topic before telling the audience and home viewers, "Until next time, take care of yourself, and each other." , an expression he had used since his days as a news anchor.[14][15]
Springer had admitted that he did not watch his own show as he has no interest in seeing it. In a 2010 interview, he specifically stated that he did not watch his own show, since its target demographic audience were not 66 year old men like him. He then noted that if he was a younger college-aged man, then he would likely enjoy watching it.[16]
After choosing to retire from his talk show in 2018, he starred in a new show called Judge Jerry in 2019. Springer was intrigued by the opportunity to host a more "grown-up" program and to use his law school education. The show typically involves real small claims court cases that have already been filed (so as to avoid people who are doing this solely for their 15 minutes of fame) and Jerry serving as a legal arbitrator. After three seasons, the show was cancelled in March 2022.
Acting Career[]
During the mid 1990s and into the 2000s, Springer appeared in several television films and shows, often playing himself with the cast characters on his talk show. Some of the notable examples including the film Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me, a 2007 episode of the Fox sketch comedy show,MadTV, and voicing himself in an episode of the FOX animated sitcom, The Simpsons.
He also starred in the 1998 film, Ringmaster, playing a parody version of himself named Jerry Farrelly and hosted a similar themed talk show named Jerry.
He had a recurring role on The George Lopez Show, playing Wayne, the boyfriend of George's mother, Benny. He also appeared on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives as a high roller at a casino.
In 2022, he was one of the Season 8 contestants on the FOX musical talent competition show, The Masked Singer. He was dressed as the character, "Beetle", eventually losing and having his identity revealed in episode 5.
Death[]
Springer died peacefully in his home in suburban Chicago, Illinois on April 27, 2023 at the age of 79 after a brief illness. It was noted by several media outlets that his cause of death was pancreatic cancer, as he had been diagnosed with the disease a few months earlier and that it had taken a turn for the worst in the week prior to his death. [17][18]
Following his death several television personalities offered their condolences including fellow daytime talk show hosts Maury Povich, Montel Williams, and Sally Jesse Raphael, as well as Norma Rashid, his former co-anchor at WLWT-TV and wrestling program, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), where he served as a guest host in 2010 and played a mediator in 2014.[19][13][20]
He is survived by his daughter, Katie, and his sister, Evelyn. In a statement released to the press, his family said: "To remember Jerry, the family asks that in lieu of flowers you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization. As he always said, 'Take care of yourself, and each other.'"[21]
On MWC[]
In the season 8 episode, "NO MA'AM", Springer plays a parody version of himself. He was the host of the television talk show The Masculine Feminist who advocated women's rights and equality, using his show and influence to assist in such things as turning the Nudie Bar into a coffee house, and men's bowling night at Jim's Bowl-A-Rama into a women's bowling night.
Al Bundy and several of his friends became so enraged that they formed NO MA'AM as a result, and held Springer hostage while delivering Five Demands, with the threat that Jerry would be the victim of the first on-air "Sexorcism". Jerry was rescued by Marcy D'Arcy, who came to the studio with several Chicago Police Officers who proceeded to arrest the NO MA'AM members; however, when one of the police officers, Officer Dan, discovered who he was, he ordered that Jerry be tied back up.
References[]
- ↑ This American Life: 258-Leaving the Fold.
- ↑ Nathan, John. "Interview: Jerry Springer", 2 July 2009. Retrieved on 2 August 2010.
- ↑
Who Do You Think You Are? Jerry Springer at the Internet Movie Database
- ↑ Who do you think you are BBC documentary
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sheridan, Patricia. "Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast with Jerry Springer", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2007-06-11. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
- ↑ Jerry Springer Biography (1944-). Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies. Retrieved on 2008-12-13.
- ↑ Powers and Johnson, 1998; also, Waldman, 2006
- ↑ "Springer, Gerald N." Tulane University Alumni Directory 2002, New Orleans: Tulane U. p. 761
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Plotz, David (1998-03-22). Jerry Springer. Slate. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
- ↑ Jerry Springer for Governor: a 1980 Campaign Ad YouTube
- ↑ Korte, Gregory. "Springer opens door on politics", The Cincinnati Enquirer, Gannett Company, 2003-02-14. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
- ↑ Horstman, Barry M. "Springer's decision: No Senate run", The Cincinnati Post, E. W. Scripps Company, 2003-08-06. Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 'The best kind of friend': Former WLWT anchor Norma Rashid remembers Jerry Springer. Cincinnati Enquirer (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ Jerry's Final Thought Compilation - Jerry SpringerYouTube
- ↑ Jerry Springer "Take care of yourself and each other" 80s styleYouTube
- ↑ Jerry Springer celebrates 20 years of mayhem. Associated Press (via Today) (October 26, 2010). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ Jerry Springer dead at 79 after cancer battle. Page Six (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ Jerry Springer DEAD AT 79. TMZ (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ Maury Povich, Montel Williams & More Daytime Hosts Honor Jerry Springer: ‘He Was A Unique Showman’. Hollywood Life (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ WWE Sends Condolences Following News Of Jerry Springer Passing Away. The Sporster (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
- ↑ Legendary TV host Jerry Springer is dead, aged 79. Insider (April 27, 2023). Retrieved on April 27, 2023.
External links[]
- Jerry Springer article at Wikipedia
